I’ve wondered for a while about what kind of models might be developed for the ways that podcasting can be used as tools for learning. There are a few examples that have started to reach my attention. I’d like to share a couple of these with you, and if you know of any other good examples leave a comment.
I just listened to Whosaid.org – an evolving literary podcast game. The basic premise is that passages from great works of literature. (I know – this gets into the whole can of worms about who decides what the great works of literature are, but we’ll just skip over that debate for now). Listeners can have a chance to leave guesses on the site, as well as get hints. The great feature to me is a discussion board – after listening to the passage and guessing at it, listeners have a chance to participate further by discussing the book. What a great hook for getting people talking about literature.
Also in a literary vein, Gardner Campbell has a summer podcast series called A Donne a Day. Each day he will be reading a poem by English poet John Donne. There’s no quiz, but he wants to share the great poetry of Donne with any listeners, as well as create an archive of Donne poetry for his students to listen to in the fall. I had a great English instructor at university who changed my view of poetry when he made me realize that poetry was meant to be listened to, not read off a page. I think Gardner is of similiar beliefs. His series starts off with The Good Morrow.
There must be other great examples of podcasts as learning tools. Maybe you are involved in creating one. Leave a comment to let me know.
While I am not yet ready to publicize my educational podcasts, I want to express my appreciation for your post publicizing the educational potential of podcasting. I am especially interested in developing ways to use podcasting as an integral part of hybrid or blended course design.
Randy, that sounds like a great place where podcasts can be used educationally. I’ve been involved in blended courses – mostly online, but also including a face to face component – which made use of streaming video. I think one of the advantages of a podcast is for the cost of an MP3 player (which is dropping rapidly), I get portability of the content so I can listen to an instructor discussing a reading while I’m doing dishes or out for a walk. On the other hand, I also think that some learners will be more visually oriented and may not get very much if the content is available only in the form of a podcast. A variety of methods of delivering content will be best, I think.
Rob, I think you are right on target regarding the use of a variety of methods. Podcasting is not a “magic bullet” that solves major instructional problems. But it is one more useful tool for helping us teach more effectively.
For the visual learners I suppose screencasts could be used to a certain degree, depending on the subject being studied.
One concern I have about pod/vod/screencasts is their potential to exacerbate the digital divide issue. As inexpensive as mp3 players are becoming, they still may not be affordable for many low income students. I am moving ahead with plans for podcasting, but keeping my ear to the ground so to speak, regarding potential technology or cost barriers for students.
Thanks for the encouragement, Rob! And yes, I am decidedly of the same belief: poetry lives in the voice.
I have been podcasting 2 organic chemistry courses this term (http://chem241.blogspot.com and http://chem243.blogspot.com) as an additional channel to the screencast. For students with bandwidth difficulties following along with the pdf of the class is another option to the streaming screencast.
Wow – cool stuff, Jean-Claude. One advantage I see with podcasting is the portability of a podcast on an MP3 player. Having a pdf file for reference with the audio sounds like a really powerful combination.
Jean-Claude,
Fantastic application of podcasting for a Chem course. I noticed you were using Camtasia’s product for screen recording. I am seeing the Techsmith product appear in more and more screencasts.